A woman suffered a “deep stab wound in her neck” in an alleged weekend knife attack, a court heard yesterday.

The detail emerged as Jeff Stitt, 29 and from Blenheim Drive in Newtownards, Co Down, appeared at Downpatrick Magistrate’s Court charged with the attempted murder of his former partner.

He is accused of stabbing the 19-year-old woman several times with a paring knife on January 20.

A detective constable said she believed she could connect him to the offence of attempted murder.

Stitt, wearing a grey tracksuit, spoke only to confirm he understood the charge.

Giving evidence as she opposed a defence application for bail, the detective constable said an ambulance crew alerted them to the incident at Thomas Street, Newtownards, shortly before 1pm on Saturday.

She said neighbours and paramedics pointed to the defendant as a suspect.

Stitt was then arrested at the scene while the woman was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where she is currently in a critical condition in intensive care.

The detective said the woman appeared to have suffered a “deep stab wound in her neck” as well as receiving wounds to her abdomen, an arm and a hand.

She said the woman told officers they had had an argument before the alleged assault.

The detective went on to say that during interview Stitt remembered details such as his former partner sitting at the table in the kitchen but remembered no details of an actual assault.

The officer added: “The next thing he remembers is her on the ground with a swollen face.”

A silver headed paring knife six inches long was found in the kitchen by police.

The detective constable said she was objecting to bail due to a likelihood of an interference with witnesses.

She also pointed to the serious nature of the assault. She said injuries to the woman included the left lung being pierced, the windpipe damaged, and possible damage to right lung.

She said there were also concerns about the safety of Stitt, who had a mental health history.

A defence solicitor argued that his client be released on bail to stay with a relative in Blackpool.